Negotiations, the key, turn and elementals
Subject Negotiations
Also, I don't think Salix would have been stupid enough to give it all to them. He's probably have given them around 50 gold pieces since there is only 4 of them, and would not even have mentioned or offered the chalice or battle axes.
I was under the impression that we only had a few coins and most were copper. I'll be glad for the larger estimate, but let me know whatever the decision is. Also, do Xorn eat gems?
From: Mark
Subject Treasure
No problem with how much coinage was given to the Xorn. Also, no mention was made of the chalice or the axes to the Xorn so that is not a problem.
No mention is made of gems, so I would say they do not eat them.
From: Kevin
Subject Negotiations
OOC: Mark, i think the way you ended this - the last line seems to imply that the party has told Delver that what we are looking for is in their room and it is hanging from the ceiling (unsure as to who said it - Salix or Surin). They are probably waiting for a response from Delver.
From: Porter
Subject Negotiations
"Alley, do you think one of your magic arrows could break the string that key is hanging from?"
From: Mark
Subject Turn
I know. I have just been swamped at work this morning.
I hope to get something out at lunch or early this afternoon.
From: Derek
Subject The key
Allistair tries to get a look at the string and key that Salix was able to see so easily. "I'm... don't think so. The specific energies of this spell, while causing damadge to living creatures, don't seem to have any effect on inanimate objects." (OOC: I'm pretty sure that's how MM works, and Allistair would know for sure. Mark will say otherwise if I'm wrong) "I could fly up and get it, but I'd have to rest before so that I could memorize that spell."
Allistair considers another moment. "I think we might be able to get it right now though, if the Xorn don't mind. I have an interesting spell that enchants a rope to rise up in the air and enter a small extra-dimensional space that can be used for hiding or escape. If I can get the rope high enough, than maybe we can reach the key."
OOC: The rope trick spell says up to 30', and Mark said the ceiling is 30' to 40' high, so it's his call whether or not we can get there with Rope Trick.
From: Mark
Subject The key
You can always try. Of course you would have to convice the Xorn to let you cast an unknown spell in their presence.
As far as I am concerned Allistair would have to see the string to target it. Also since It is assumed that MM passes through armor and robes and such, I do not feel that it can be used to sunder items.
From: Karl
Subject The key
Salix replies, "I still have a prayer to produce a flame I can hurl, but the Xorn might mistake that as a weapon. Rather than that, I could summon a small elemental and send it up to get the key for us. An Air elemental should do nicely, I think."
(OOC - I was also thinking a fire elemental would be useful since it could burn through the string. However, I don't know if fire elementals can fly. It doesn't mention they can in the source material I read. I could be wrong though. Mark?)
From: Mark
Subject Elementals
I see no mention that fire elementals can fly. However, my books are at home so I will check tonight and let you know.
From: Karl
Subject Elementals
It's not really an issue if I can use an air elemental. I imagine if the thing has attack capabilities it should be able to either break or untie a string.
Do you want me to roll-play asking the Xorn for permission to summon an air elemental to get it for us or are we still waiting on a write-up?
If you want to just write it up, Salix will ask for permission as stated above, and will offer, if necessary another 100-200 gold coins as needed to complete the bargain.
From: Mark
Subject Turn
I can write it up tonight.
From: Porter
Subject Elementals
OOC: Good thinking, Karl.
From: Derek
Subject Elementals
Allistair remembers something at Salix's mention of an elemental.
"I don't know if that would be a good idea or not. Remember that these Xorn are from the plane of earth, and earth and air get along about as well as water and fire do. Although it can't hurt to ask, I suppose."
From: Mark
Subject Elementals
JUst to let you know I did mention that to Karl but not to the group. :)
From: Mark
Subject Turn
Just to let you know I just had an eye appointment and can barely read the books or the computer screen. I am having my wife proof read this so I do not make any mistakes. I plan on doing a turn later tonight, after the eyes return to normal.
To summarize where we are at, Salix, Surin, Mund and Allistair are in the room with the Xorn and negotiating. Salix has given the Xorn some gold to munch on and they have discovered a copper key hanging by a thread or something from the ceiling, 30-40 feet up. Salix is going to try and negotiate for the party to get the key down.
From: Mark
Subject Elementals
The Xorn's, busily munching on the gold coins that Salix had tossed their way, barely hear the conversation between the party members. Salix has to call to Delver to get his attention. "Delver,I think we might have found what we were looking for. There is a small object hanging from the ceiling. We are fairly sure it is the key we seek.
It is hanging from a string in the center of the room 30 feet or so above you. We ask your permission for me to summon an elemental creature that can fly up and retrieve the key for us. This creature will be under my control at all times and you have my word it will not harm you in any way. It is also very small compared to your own size and it will be alone."
Delver talks to the others as they continue eating the gold coins. After some seconds he replies "Friend Salix, you have our permission to do this thing. We will move to one of the corners so that your creature may do your bidding." The Xorn's move off to the corner opposite the door and sort of hunch down, each of them trying to keep at least two eyes on what is happening.
Salix sighs in relief. After all the killing, finally a challenge that did not involve death. At least not yet. Salix moves to the middle of the room, with Allistair and Mund just behind him. Surin stays at the door. When the druid gets to the middle of the room he calls out to Delver again. "I am going to send one of my companions back to the rest of our party to let them know what is going on. They might be getting worried since they have not heard from us. The halfling, Surin will go report to them and come right back. Is this agreeable to you?" Delver nods his body in what looks to be agreement and Salix motions for the halfling to do as he said. Surin hustles as fast as he can and reports back to the others.
He returns just as Salix is ready to summon the elemental. Salix starts the chant of creature summoning and summons a small air elemental. The small cloud appears in his hand and makes a whistling sound, like a fast breeze. Salix makes a whistling sound back and the swirling air leaps from his hand and straight at the string that the key is hanging from. For the next several seconds the cloud swirls around the thin string, small lightning bolt and claps of thunder coming from it. Again and again it attacks the string to no obvious effect. After a little more than half a minute the creature dissipates, like a fog on a windy morning.
Salix hears Delver call to him. "Friend Salix, it looks to me like things did not go the way you expected them to go. What will you do now? Also, you don't happen to have any more of that tasty gold on you, do you?" The voice is almost plaintive.
OODM: Next idea. Just a quick note. Although I did not show the rolls, the elemental was not able to damage the string holding the key. It was making sunder attacks.
From: Porter
Subject Sunder
OOC: How well can Mund see the string? Could he sunder it with an arrow?